SACRAMENTO — Rises in syphilis and other sexually transmitted disease cases in California have state health officials concerned.

The California Department of Public Health has released new figures showing syphilis cases jumped 18 percent last year compared to 2010.

There was also a 5 percent rise in chlamydia cases and a 1.5 percent hike in gonorrhea cases.

The Los Angeles Times (lat.ms/NBv2Jy) says health officials are concerned because the sexually transmitted diseases can lead to more serious health problems, like infertility and an increased risk of HIV.

There were about 164,000 chlamydia cases, 27,000 gonorrhea cases and about 2,500 syphilis cases reported last year in California.

The agency’s sexually transmitted disease chief Heidi Bauer says people may be engaging in more risky behaviors and becoming more complacent about practicing safe sex.